We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Artist Rico Edwards a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Artist Rico, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Peace,

Truthfully taking a risk can be applied to not only business, but anything someone wants out of life there’s going to be a risk. I truly believe there no is great reward without taking a risk, taking a leap of faith towards a sense of achievement. There is a certain beauty in the struggle, there’s so many lessons in the ugly / beginning stages of anything that’s worth pursing.

Each person needs to have a certain type of passion and dedication before taking any risk. There is a certain mentally that one must possess before trying to achieve anything, it’s honestly a “risk it all” mentally.

Growing up there weren’t too many “success” artists that looked like me, quotations around success because success looks different to everyone. Once I became aware of what my purpose was I started to tap in mentally into what I had to do to get to where I wanted to go. I worked for years and is still working to this day to manifest this certain drive I have towards my business / brand, this level of passion cannot be faked; either you have it or you don’t….period.

There is no story to tell in regards to “taking a risk”, taking a risk means betting on yourself with everything you have to achieve something. From a business standpoint you have to completely double down and invest everything you have into what it is you’re going for. In other words and to put it in terms anyone can understand, how would you know if you’ll be successful if you don’t take the risk? You have to believe in yourself 1000% before you take a chance, if you’re gonna roll the dice then you better be ready to go all in….because once you jump off that cliff, it’s time to fly.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Artist Rico Edwards, I’m an Artist / Entrepreneur; native to New Orleans Louisiana but operate out of Houston, Tx. I would consider myself a graphic artist, solely a painter whose main medium is acrylic. As time progresses my studio practices have expanded into other areas such as graphic design, product and clothing design, sculpture work, custom framing along with installation, tattooing and just recently art restoration.

Before having the idea of creating an “art business” which I would call a “brand”, I started hand painting t shirts in high school as a way to wear my own work then later became a way to make money. Before I became an entrepreneur, I was an artist and forever will be an artist. There was complete passion and still is, but then followed a price tag with my work and other art services that I offer clients.

As stated earlier, I started hand painting t shirts towards the end of my freshman year in high school as a way to wear my own work because I was not a fan of the graphic shirts sold in stores. Throughout high school I stepped into the practice of producing custom clothing for students and even teachers, to the point where in my senior year I deigned the graduating class of 2010 class shirt. At that point I KNEW art / designing was my calling, I knew it was my purpose to pursue art in any form.

Shortly after graduating high school, I begin to develop my what I once called an “Art Business” into a “Brand”, with complete support from my parents I was successfully able to pursue an art career over the years.

Currently still running my brand, “Enigma Project” as a full time Artist / Designer / Entrepreneur, with a long list of ongoing and repeated clients domestically and a few internationally.

As time goes on, universe willing; I plan to take my brand more mainstream to become a global recognized brand.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

As mentioned earlier there isn’t a story to tell in regards to my resilience to what it is I’m pursing, it’s simply going after what it is you’re trying to manifest. I see myself as a global recognized artist / brand owner so there’s certain things I have to do in order to get to that level. There’s a certain work ethic I must have in order to get to that level, there’s a certain mindset I have to carry with me. There’s a certain belief I must have in myself and in my craft in order for me to manifest those things, that’s my honest take on resilience.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

In my honest and most humble opinion, EXPERIENCE is going to be the best tool in your arsenal. You can read all the books in the world, watch all the motivational videos, listen to every self help podcast, without experience there’s a slim chance in getting ahead. Let me rephrase that, there’s still a chance but it’ll be very slim. To put it in a better perspective, each job I’ve had over the years has contributed to what it is I’m pursuing now. MEANING if I’m going to give a company 8 hours a day of my time I’m going to make sure it’s a place where I can learn from and apply it to whatever it is I’m pursuing. Work your 40 hours, rest; but do not forget to apply time into your craft as well. PAY ATTENTION to every little detail, learn from those who are in a position you want to be in, study, invest, listen more than you speak and again, do not forget to rest.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.enigmaprojectbrand.com
• Instagram: @Artist_Rico_Edwards
• Business Email : [email protected]